_I just came across a recap of the happenings at the now famous ELCA and worshippers of Isis conference, officially called “The 5th Annual Faith and Feminism – Womanist – Mujerista Conference,” that was held at the ELCA’s Ebenezer Lutheran church (herchurch) in San Francisco. (See the previous blog here). The synopsis of the conference provided some extremely important information. Dr. Mary Streufert, the ELCA Director for Justice for Women, from the Office of the Presiding Bishop (see here) was a keynote speaker at the conference. During her teaching titled, "Jesus Christ Beyond the Divide: A Christian Feminist Proposal," she presented images of a female Jesus to the gathering. This comes from the account of Dr. Aldredge-Clanton, which was posted on Ebenezer Lutheran's website. I think it is reasonable to assume they are giving a truthful account of what happened. Here is what Dr. Aldredge-Clanton said exactly, “. . . I experience Dr. Mary Streufert’s erudite and engaging presentation that includes female images of Jesus Christ, providing a bridge for feminism to move into traditional Christianity.” (read here)

On an older Ebenezer Lutheran church webpage, which detailed the then upcoming conference, a preview is given of Dr. Streufert’s talk. At the end of the preview it says, “(y)ou can expect some interesting images!” (see here)

I find it very troubling that a leader in my denomination, straight from the headquarters of the ELCA and Office of the ELCA's Presiding Bishop, is mocking our Lord and Savior like this. How fitting that Dr. Streufert does this at a conference at which many of the teachers and speakers are priestesses of Isis or of other goddesses. Maybe even more troubling than Dr. Streufert’s blaspheme is the fact that the ELCA is allowing this.

I have to believe that showing images of a female Jesus is nothing new to Dr. Streufert. In Dr. Streufert’s book, Transformative Lutheran Theologies: Feminist, Womanist, and Mujerista Perspectives, she writes a chapter titled, “The Person of Christ from a Feminist Perspective: Human and Divine, Male and Female.” (see here)

Propagating a female Jesus is blasphemous. Changing Christ into a god of your own fashion and design, in opposition to the testimony of Scripture, is in reality, creating a new god. This female Jesus, which feminists in the denomination love to call “Sophia,” is not The Son, Jesus. It is a false god. The ELCA is promoting and involving itself in idolatry.

As wrong as this is, I simply wish the ELCA would change their name to something more fitting to who they actually are, and what they actually represent. There is simply NOTHING Lutheran about them, and they give the rest of us all a bad name. They simply are a liberal activist oganization that loosly follows some Christian teachings of their chosing.

I agree with John. The other day I visited a Catholic blog which rather proudly pronounced that Lutheranism is dying; the writer based this bit of wishful thinking on a letter former presiding bishop Herbert W. Chilstrom wrote to the Minnesota Bishops 'asking them to accept gay 'marriage' because gays are like blacks or something'.

It's high time 'real' Lutheran churches come out publicly against the bastardization of Scripture which is so prevalent within the Everything Liberal Church of America.

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Linda Razzano

2/6/2012 09:12:16 am

"Sophia" is not my Lord and Savior. Jesus is. Folks who refuse to accept this basic tent of Christianity need to find a different place to worship, because they sure as heck aren't Christians.

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Peter A. Nasvik

2/14/2012 06:29:32 am

Many members and churches are reluctant to leave the ELCA, or think that in time the ELCA will find it's way back into the teachings of Martin Luther or the Scriptures. The reality is that the ELCA has left the doctrines of Martin Luther, the Scriptures and the Christain church in exchange for cultural values and worldly ways. We can only stand firm on the truth of our Lord and the powerful testmony of Martin Luther. It cannot be compromised, but it can be disobeyed, your choice. We need to wake up. The ELCA has abandoned us and our Lord and Savior and cannot be supported.

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Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. ​1 Thessalonians 5:21

Dan Skogen

Former ELCA seminary student and former ELCA member who is fed up with the ELCA's consistent mockery of God's Word.

If you have been helped and blessed by Exposing the ELCA's ministry, please help us continue to proclaim the truth of God's Word to ELCA members who need to hear it.